How did you get into site management?
I started about 14 years ago as a Liaison Officer on housing projects. In that role I picked up a lot of the Site Manager’s daily routines; identifying where the services are and how everything runs in a house. I enjoyed what I saw and decided to become a Site Manager.
I continued working as a Liaison Officer for three years while I completed my site requirement certifications. Once I had completed those, I was successful in applying for a dual role as Liaison Officer and Assistant Site Manager for South Lakes Housing. In this role, I worked on roofing, external renders, and external windows.
What are the key skills you need as a Site Manager?\
You need technical skills, such as reading and interpreting site drawings. It is also vital to have soft skills like people management and being able to run to a schedule. This will ensure you can keep projects streamlined.
It is also important to have good knowledge of the trades you’ll be working with. This could include electrical, mechanical, internal refurb, flooring, and internal design packaging.
One of the most important skills you need is knowledge of health and safety regulations. This enables you to ensure the site is running safely, which is paramount.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
I enjoy taking a building apart at the demolition stage and stripping everything out down to the carcass, and then putting it all back together with new electricals, walls, and finishes. I get enjoyment seeing it go from that stage to the finished product. The workmanship and attention to detail is amazing to witness. Seeing the completed project is so rewarding.
I also love being able to learn something new every day. Because I find the process so interesting, I suck up the knowledge. This means I’m constantly picking up new skills and developing professionally.
Tell us what a typical day looks like for you
I’m always working to a schedule. We tend to look at a three-week view of the site requirements, so I’m always making sure that everything is booked in and ready for the next stage of work. This includes ensuring materials are on site and the labour has all been confirmed.
There’s also a lot of filing and paperwork. This includes risk assessments, certifications for the crew, CDM requirements, health and safety, contractor packages, and architectural design.
I’m also responsible for inducting people onto the site to make sure everyone is aware of where everything is and understands their health and safety requirements.
So the days are very varied; I’m always working and planning ahead to book everything that is needed for the coming days and weeks. You can’t just work day-to-day in this role, you need to have a broader view of the project as a whole.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in site management?
Be prepared to never stop. It’s a demanding role looking after everything from paperwork to contractors. Attention to detail is vital as you can be inspected at any time. You need to know what you’re doing and be confident in your role, making sure you’re dotting every i and crossing every t. Ultimately it all comes down to the site manager, so you have a lot of responsibility.
You need to have completed your Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) and have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. It’s also good to have a degree in engineering, or you can go down the NVQ route which is what I’m doing. You need an NVQ Level 6 to be a Site Manager, which I’m currently studying for.
What projects have you most enjoyed working on?
I was involved in constructing all the new wards at Roseberry Park Hospital which I really enjoyed. I’ve worked on hospital and healthcare projects before, but this was a unique project because it is a secure unit. Nothing could be left on site and everything had to be double-checked and scanned. It was quite challenging as we were working to very strict requirements and regulations. It was challenging but incredibly interesting.
What do you see as the future of your industry over the next 5 years?
I can see construction going from strength to strength. Government regulation means more houses need to be built, and existing buildings need to be updated, which provides lots of opportunities. New construction companies are popping up all the time which makes it a great time to be working in the industries as there are lots of roles available.
Why do you choose Coleman James to help further your career?
I’ve worked with Coleman James for several years now, and working with them has helped me get my foot in the door with various construction firms.
As soon as I finish one job, Coleman James gets the next one lined up for me. I’ve been able to build a profile with the various companies I’ve worked for, which means Coleman James can go to new employers showing that I have an existing track record.
The team at Coleman James have been amazing, particularly Beth and Abigail. I’ve had a few personal issues recently and the team at Coleman James were there for me. They don’t just focus on finding roles, they actually care about you as a person.
You’re not just a number to Coleman James. They know who you are and are there to support you.